A Closer Look at Dental Sealants

Most of our patients are always looking for additional ways to protect their teeth and gums from damage. Of course a great brushing and flossing routine is the cornerstone of any proactive plan to keep cavities at bay, but if one considers the often bumpy, jagged surface of teeth, it’s easy to understand that food and bacteria have plenty of places to hang out. Molars are an especially rough, uneven place prone to invaders.

Pacific Dental Care provides dental sealants which serve as a barrier between your teeth and the elements.

So What Can You Do to Stay Extra Safe From Tooth Decay and Damage?

Dental sealants are popular options that serve as a safety net for your teeth. Sealants are thin, protective coatings made from plastic or composite dental materials which bond and adhere to the chewing surfaces of your molars. Their main function is to stop cavity formation and curb early stages of tooth decay before it becomes a full-blown cavity.

Sealant Statistics

The ADA asserts that dental sealants reduce the risk of tooth decay by almost 80% in molars. Sealants aren’t just for adults, either. The Centers for Disease Control released a 2016 report on the importance of dental sealants for children six and up which found that only about 43% of kids have sealants in place for protection. According to the same CDC study, children without sealants stand at almost three times more likely to develop cavities than children who have sealants.

Dental Sealant Application

The process is quick, easy and painless. We clean and dry the tooth before placing a gel that roughens the tooth surface to create a strong bond between tooth and sealant. We’ll rinse off the gel and dry the tooth once more before sealant application, which works its way into the grooves of the molar. Afterwards, we’ll use a special blue light to solidify the sealant.

Dental sealants will last you several years before reapplication is necessary.

Pacific Dental Care serves our community of Glendale and surrounding areas like Burbank, Pasadena, and Los Angeles, CA. We provide a broad spectrum of dental services, including dental sealants, which can help save your smile. Contact us today to learn more.